Final answer:
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act includes provisions like executives personally certifying financial statements, audit firms being restricted from providing certain services, the PCAOB establishing standards for audited financial reports, lead audit partners being required to change every five years, and management documenting effectiveness of procedures affecting financial reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for each of the given descriptions are as follows:
a. Executives must personally certify the company's financial statements. This provision is intended to increase accountability and transparency.
b. Audit firms cannot provide a variety of other services, such as investment advising, to their clients. This provision aims to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain auditor independence.
c. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) establishes standards related to the preparation of audited financial reports. The PCAOB is responsible for overseeing auditors of public companies.
d. Lead audit partners are required to change every five years. This rotation requirement helps to prevent long-lasting relationships that could compromise the independence and objectivity of auditors.
e. Management must document the effectiveness of procedures that could affect financial reporting. This provision promotes internal control and ensures the accuracy and reliability of financial statements.